Slim Dusty Family Reunion Album with two final CMAA Awards nominations

Anne and her family were thrilled when "Dad and Dave", being Anne's late father Slim and her brother David, picked up nominations in the categories of Bush Ballad("Sunburnt People" ,co-written with Joy McKean)and Heritage ("Old Purple", written By David) respectively, from their #1 Reunion album.

Anne and her family recorded the album at Slim's Columbia Lane Studio in July 2007. It features 3 previously unreleased Slim Dusty tracks, plus original solo tracks from Anne,David,James,Hannah, Kate and Joy.

The nominations continue an amazing year,which has seen the release of the album and a family tour which took in 24 dates throughout NSW, Victoria and Queensland over five weeks in July/August this year. Following on from the tour, a Slim Dusty Family "Live In Concert" DVD that captures the final and historic concert tour performance, is now available. Join 3 generations of the Slim Dusty Family as they take you on an exhilarating and unique Australian country music journey, sharing many Slim Dusty memories (both on film and stills) and including their musical tributes to Slim with many of his classics as well as perfomances from their own #1 Reunion album.

Anne supports Anti-Depression Initiative for the Bush.

Anne attended and spoke at the"Braver, Stronger, Wiser"launch at Parliament House(Sydney) last month.This initiative by the Salvation Army will see 500,000 DVD's of the same name distributed to households throughout rural Australia. The DVD documents the story of four individuals from remote areas as they deal with depression and ultimately triumph in moving on positely with their lives. It also gives positive information on how to manage depression and obtain help.For a copy of this free DVD anyone can call 137258 or 13 SALVOS.

Anne also travelled to Quilpie in western Queensland to support a similar initiative by the QLD Department for Health and Ageing, "Mental Health Support for Drought Affected Communities".Mike Kerin, Michael Vidale and Anne played the afternoon away at the local club to enthusiastic punters from the area and were made very welcome by one and all. The aim of the gig was to showcase the information and help that is available to families and individuals who are feeling the mental impact of years of drought and the subsequent stress.

6th March, 2008 - Album Review from Brisbane Courier Mail, David Costello.

The brood raised by Slim Dusty and Joy McKean is Australia's version of the venerable Carter family. Both clans are folk institutions known for music that is sturdy and honest and a world away from the glib formats that dominate modern country.

This album centres on generational change following Dusty's death. McKean, who has a lovely old style voice that evokes Maybelle Carter, shares singing duties with children David and Anne Kirkpatrick and four grandchildren.

There are some Slim snippets including the lovely Don Walker track "How Good It is". It is almost prayer-like in its simplicity, "How good is life...Just take it in a while and grin", and creates a mood of celebration and optimism.

David and Anne Kirkpatrick duet on Paul Kelly's "Pick It Up And Pass It On" and their own songs have an interesting contrast.

His are old-style ballads - "Old Purple" is about Slim's famous Ford - while her "Road Dreamin" is a Gram Parsons-style country workout.

Of the grandchildren, Hannah Kirkpatrick and James Arneman have pure, earnest voices while Kate Arneman brings a light touch to McKean’s "High, Wide And Handsome".

The Dusty legacy, it would seem, is in good hands.